Absorbent material and methods of making the same

ABSTRACT

A disposable material and method of constructing such material is disclosed. The absorbent material includes at least two united constituents, one of which contains filaments with a portion of such filaments transferred through openings in the other constituent. The transference may be effected through the use of transfer needles, which not only transfers filaments but additionally provides the openings through which the filaments extend. The absorbent material is particularly adapted for use in a tampon or other catamenial device. Other uses, such as in disposable diapers or in other products where a relatively high degree of absorbency in a relatively economical product is desirable are also contemplated.

3,811,445 [451 May 21,1974

[ ABSORBENT MATERIAL AND METHODS 3,595,237 7/1971 Sargentet.al..................

OF MAKING THE SAME Primary Examiner-Charles F. Rosenbaum [75] Inventor: Zdenek Denny Dosta" Ramsey Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stewart J. Fried; Michael Assignee: International Playtex Corporation, A. Caputo; Jeffrey A. Schwab New York, NY.

Sept. 29, 1972 [22] Filed:

A disposable material and method of constructing Appl' 293631 such material is disclosed. The absorbent material includes at least two united constituents, one of which contains filaments with a portion of such filaments transferred through openings in the other constituent.

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 5,080, Jan. 22, 1970, Pat. No.

The transference may be effected through the use of transfer needles, which not only transfers filaments but additionally provides the openings through which the filaments extend.

m 00 9 21 0 .4 8 00 6 B l A8 9 2 R 1 2 m 2 mm 7 "a u e 8 u 2 mm 5 mm 8 n" 2 "n 8 m 2 "n 1 mm. u c Ur a 8 ms In C mfm UIF III 2 8 555 r|:l.[

S T N m d CA m n; S m nmm S a n 6 ,.1 CT eme DA we e SOTCS rTIfe O SOCYWD MD B34802 66677 I99999 NHHHHH 4222O 90220 04247 52655 m 82 49 5 w w v TIL 33333 The absorbent material is particularly adapted for use in a tampon or other catamenial device. Other uses, such as in disposable diapers or in other products where a relatively high degree of absorbency in a relatively economical product is desirable are also contemplated.

18 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures or H. 4

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1 ABSORBENT MATERIAL AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of US. Ser. No. 5,080 filed Jan. 22, 1970 and now US. Pat. No. 3,695,270.

The present invention relates to an absorbent material and the method of making the same. While various applications for such absorbent material are contemplated, the present invention finds specific application for use in catamenial devices such as tampons and sanitary napkins.

Tampons enjoy a wide acceptance and various catamenial devices have been developed, employing vari-. ous material compositions which must provide a relatively high degree of absorbency in a product which is relatively compact and economical to manufacture.

Aside from its absorbent characteristics, the material employed must be comfortable so as to allow ready insertion into the vaginal canal; have a strength sufficient to retain its integrity in use; and further have the ability to expand once subjected to the moisture in the vaginal canal so as to conform to the space between the walls of the canal to prevent leakage of the menstrual discharge and still allow for easy withdrawal.

The materials employed must also be adapted to be made economically both'with respect to material cost and manufacture processes.

Present catamenial devices generally employ fibrous materials such as cellulosic structures, principally rayon, cotton, paper or mixtures or blends thereof depending principally upon absorptive capacities of the bulk of the materials to increase absorbency. Aside from varying the type of raw materials employed, by and large developments to increase and/or enhance absorptive capacity has been dealt with by either adding to the bulk of the material and/or the compression of the materials so as to add quantitatively to the mass of absorbent material within a given volume.

As hereinbefore more specifically described, a method has been found to increase the absorbency lev els of more economical, lesser absorbent raw materials so as to enable the substitution of such materials, in, for example a catamenial device, with the finished product having an absorptive capacity which is at least at a parity with a product of equal weight heretofore constructed of more expensive, greater absorbent raw materials.

According to the present invention it has been found that absorptive capacity is increased through the use in a tampon of an absorptive material having at least two layers where at least one of the layers has absorptive capabilities and at least one of the layers includes filaments, wherein a portion of the filament of the filament bearing layer has been transferred completely through openings in the other companion layer.

It has been determined that particularly desirable results are obtained if the two layers are dissimilar and where both layers are absorbent materials. Further, one of the layers preferably is adapted to act as a matrix with the filaments of the other of the layers extending through openings in the matrix layer.

For example, a tampon having absorbent material weighing 2.2 grams, 50 percent of which is rayon and 50 percent of which is cellulose crepe wadding normally has an absorbency equal to only 80 percent of an identically constructed, more expensive all-rayon tampon having absorbent material weighing 2.2 grams.

If however, the same rayon and cellulose crepe wadding constituents are modified in accordance with the present invention to provide openings through the cellulose crepe wadding, and a plurality of the filaments of the rayon are transferred through such openings the tampon will have an absorbency level equal to the more expensive all-rayon tampon.

The absorptive composite of the present invention is preferably formed by juxtaposing in substantially superimposed relationship, two constituent materials; at least one of such materials being an absorptive substance, and at least one of such materials including filaments; forming openings through at least one of such materials, and transferring filaments from such filament bearing material through the other of such materials.

Preferably the formation of the openings and the filament transference steps are accomplished in a single operation by the use of barbed needles, such as the type commonly referred to as felting needles with at least portion of the barbs oriented along the shank of the needle in the direction of the desired filament transference.

In a tampon it is preferably that the transference of filmaments be of a degree such that the number of filaments on either face of the matrix layer be substantially equal. 4

It is believed that the increase in absorbency of the material of the present invention is due to alteration in the interstitial spacing effected-during transference, the increase of the surface area effected in the creation of the openings, and/or the wicking or capillarity between layers along the transferred through filaments. The transferred through filaments act not only to maintain the integrity of the united constituent materials but further serve to maintain the integrity of the openings through the layers. This latter feature has special pertinency in the use of the absorbent material in catamenial devices where the forming machinery generally exerts a crimping pressure on the material being processed to shape and set the tampon.

In a sanitary napkin, especially in view of the recent popularity of lesser weight products or mini-pads enhanced absorbency and material stability under the influence of a liquid medium are desirable. The filament transference in such products serves to aid in maintaining the integrity of. the united materials and enhance absorbency and strength.

Although such novel feature or features believed to be characteristic of the invention are pointed out in the claims, the invention and the manner in which it may be carried out may be further understood by reference to the description following and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of an absorbent material of the present invention, with a corner of one of the layers folded back to indicate the manner in which the filaments of one layer are transferred through the openings provided in the other layer.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 22 of HO. 1 with dimensions exaggerated for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, also exaggerated for clarity, of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, similarly exaggerated for clarity, of an alternate embodiment of an absorbent material of the present invention.

FIG. is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for constructing an absorbent material in accordance with a method of the present invention.

FIGS. 6 a-c are side elevations illustrating the sequential filament transference of the present invention; FIG. 6a illustrating superimposed layers of constituent material before the entry of the transfer needle; FIG. 6b illustrating a transfer needle as it transfers filaments; and FIG. 6c illustrating the transfer needle as it is withdrawn from the united constituent layers with the transferred filaments extending through the openings.

FIGS. 7-9 are side elevational views of various transferring, needles which may be employed.

FIG. is a sectionalized perspective of a portion of a tampon employing absorbent material of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation illustrating the absorbent material of the present invention formed as a tampon and disposed within a tampon insertion device, partially cut away.

FIG. I2 is a perspective view of a tampon in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention prior to being pursed into the conventional cylindrical shape.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I313 of FIG. 12 with dimensions exaggerated for clarity.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view, partially, broken away, of a sanitary napkin in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. is a cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14 with dimensions greatly exaggerated for clarity.

Referring now to the figures in greater detail, where like reference numbers denote like parts in the various figures.

Illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is one form of an absorbent composite l of the present invention. While various materials may be employed, the particular composite shown comprises two dissimilar constituents 2,3 both which are absorbent, and at least one of which (2) contains relatively long filaments. For example, one of the constituents 2 is a fibrous substance, such as rayon and its companion constituent 3 is an absorbent paper such as cellulose crepe wadding.

. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the absorbent composite is provided with a plurality of openings 4 extending through the cellulose crepe wadding layer 3 through which the filaments 2' of the rayon fibrous material 2 pass, such that filaments 2 and 2" extend on opposite faces of the crepe wadding layer 3.

For clarity, the constituents 2, 3 may be referred to as layers although as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transference of the fiber filaments 2 of the fibrous material 2 through the companion layer 3 has been accomplished in a manner so as to substantially equalize the number of transferred filaments 2' and nontransferred filaments 2" at the opposed faces of the companion layer 3.

In FIG. 3 the absorbent composite 5 illustrated also includes dissimilar constituents with a fibrous layer 6 and a companion matrix layer 7. However, a lesser portion 8 of the filaments of the fibrous layer 6 are transferred through the openings 9 in the companion matrix layer 7 so as to be exposed on the outer face of the companion layer 7.

Whereas FIGS. 1-3 illustrate embodiments including two starting layers, various other combinations of multi-layers of material are possible. In FIG. 4, for example, there is illustrated an absorbent composite 10 including an inner layer of fibrous material 11 and a pair of outer matrix layers 14. A portion of the filaments 12 of the inner layer 11 have been transferred through openings 13 in both outer superimposed layers 14.

It is to be appreciated that the layers of the absorbent composite illustrated in FIGS. 14 are not necessarily as clearly defined as illustrated. In the manufacture of such material the filament transference is such that while'the constituent materials retain their respective identities a selective union of the materials results visually integrating the constituents.

The amount of openings and filaments transferred per unit, can vary depending upon the degree of in creased absorbency desired ranging from a small number ofopenings to that degree of openings which would destroy the matrix layer. Since it is desired to have at least some filaments passing through each of the openings to maintain the integrity of the openings, a particularly favorable union would be a uniting such as illustrated in FIG. 2 where there is a substantial equalization of filaments on opposite faces of the matrix layer. There is thus provided substantially equalized wicking on both faces of the matrix with filaments extending through all of the openings.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is illustrated an apparatus for processing an absorbent composite in accordance with the present invention.

A web of fibrous material 15 is fed such as from a spool 16 to a needle punching machine 17. A second web of material 18 is also fed, such as from a spool 19 so as to lie in superimposed relationship with the fibrous material 15 when the two webs 15, 18 are positioned at the work station area 20 of the needle punching machine 17.

The needle punching machine 17 depicted is but a schematic representation encompassing in a broad sense the basic operation of needle punch equipment, it being understood that various apparatus are available to perform the fiber-filament transference and hole punching functions requisite in forming the absorbent material of the present invention. As illustrated, the needle punching machine 17 includes an reciprocally driven piston 21 adapted to drive a needle beam 22 carrying a plurality of vertically oriented barbed needles 23 so as to vertically actuate the needles 23 to vertically reciprocate them into needle receptacles 24 in the bed 25. A transference of the filaments and a union of the webs I5, 18 also occurs and the so processed resultant absorbent material 27 is taken up, such as by takeup spool 28.

As is more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 6 a-c, the needles 23 pass through the webs l5, l8 effecting openings. The bars 26 effect a fiber filament transference from the fibrous web 15 through the formed openings in the second web 18.

The orientation of the barbs and the stroke of the needles must be such as to effect a transference, that is the barbs must pass completely through the webs. The sequential steps are illustrated in FIGS. 6a through wherein the barbs 26 engage a portion of the filaments on the web 15. The point of the needle 23 punctures the web 18 and the filaments engaged by the barbs 26 are transferred through the openings so made. The needle 23 is then retracted with the filaments disengaged from the barbs, such filaments remaining within the openings and extending through the web 18.

Various needle configurations are possible. In FIG. 7 for example the needle 29 is constructed having barbs 30 disposed along its shank 31 such that the bars 30 would engage filaments and transfer them in the direction of the arrow A. Such a needle configuration would be employed where the shank 31 would first pass through the fibrous material and then the transferee web such as is shown in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6a-c.

Were the web superimposition of FIG. 5 reversed, such as by having the transferee web first subjected to the needle shank, a needle 32 such as illustrated in FIG. 8 would be suitable. The barbs 33 on the needle 32 are aligned so as to engage a portion of the fiber filaments on the fibrous web and draw such filaments through the needle made openings in the transferee web. Or, in the alternative in lieu of the unidirectional fiber filaments transference of FIG. 5, transference between webs can be accomplished from both above and below the webs employing various combinations of needles 29, 32 and 34 illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 respectively.

Further this multi-station, above and below technique may be employed, where multiple webs are employed, such as the three webs which initiate the absorbent material shown in FIG. 4.

An alternative method of constructing a multilayered composite such as the composite of FIG. 4 may be accomplished by use of needles, such as illustrated by needle 34 of FIG. 9. The needle 34 of FIG. 9 includes along its shank 31, both barbs 36 for transference in one direction and barbs 37 for transference in the opposite direction. The downward stroke of the needle through the multiple webs would transfer filaments in the direction of the stroke through the bottom web. The reciprocal retracting motion of the needle would transfer filaments from the central web of fibrous material through the upper web.

Filament transference including the provision of openings has resulted in increased absorbency and this has been found to be of particular value in the construction of tampons. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a typical tampon struture of the present invention is shown.

The tampon illustrated may be constructed in a variety of ways using various manfuacturing techniques. For example, a multiphase linear flow machine such as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,465,390 to Mooney may be employed.

The tampon 43 shown includes two layers of superimposed absorbent material 38 constructed in accordance with the present invention. A gauze layer 44 for strong securement is positioned between the two absorbent material layers 38 and a withdrawal string 39 extends through the layers 38,44.

While a gauze layer 44 has been illustrated such gauze layer 44 may be dispensed with in embodiments where the matrix layer of the absorbent material 38 is of a sufficient strength to maintain the string 39 securely even after the absorbent material 38 has been subjected to moisture.

Illustrated in FIG. 11 is the tampon of FIG. 10 loaded into a telescoping tube inserter device 40 such as those 6 presently available in the art. It might further be noted that as formed the openings 41 and fibers 42 extend transversely with respect to the body portion of the tampon thus facilitating not only the absorption of menstrual fluid, but further present a network of openings for the menstrual discharge.

A preferred tampon construction in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 which show a tampon assembly prior to being pursed in a cylindrical shape and disposed in an inserter as depicted in FIG. 11.

This preferred construction utilizes the combination of at least one absorbent composite superimposed on at least one absorbent pad. The absorbent composite is formed from a filamentary layer which is needle punched to a backing layer. As described above, such a composite will display greater absorbency than would normally be expected from the individual components and will additionally possess greater mechanical strength than the individual components would have in the absence of the filament transference. The absorbent pad may be formed from any material which will physically retain liquid. It may be fibrous, random or oriented; cellular, such as a sponge; foraminous; or Stratified, such as layers of absorbent paper or tissue. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the fibers or particles which make up the absorbent pad need not themselves be absorbent so long as the resulting pad will have the capacity to retain liquid. An example of a pad formed from non-absorbent materials would be one formed from hydrophobic filaments wherein the space between filaments will wick and retain liquid due to capillary forces.

In the particular embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 two identical rectangular sub-assemblies 50, 52 are superimposedwith the longest side of one at an angle, preferably a right angle, to the longest side of the other. Each subassembly comprises an interior absorbent filamentary pad 54, 56 and a substantially coextensive exterior absorbent compositive 58, 60. The four layers which make up the tampon are held together by a withdrawal string 62 which is looped through the entire assembly.

As can be best seen in FIG. 12 the absorbent pads 54 and 56 are each formed from oriented filaments as shown by the somewhat parallel lines of filaments with the pads disposed in a manner such that the general plane of orientation of the filaments of one pad is perpendicular to the general plane of orientation of the other pad.

The two layers of absorbent composite 58, are each formed from a layer of filaments needle punched to a backup member, such as creped wadding. The discussion pertaining to FIGS. 1 4 also applies to the absorbent composites 58 and 60. The filamentary layer may be either on the outside or inside of the absorbent composite. Preferably, however, the filamentary layer is formed from oriented filaments having a general plane of orientation parallel to that of the absorbent pad with which it is associated. In such manner liquid dispersion is predisposed lengthwise to more readily disperse the liquid along the tampon to make the greatest use of the absorbency potential of the constituent materials.

Illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings is a thin sanitary napkin or mini-pad in accordance with the present invention. This sanitary napkin embodies a core formed from a fibrous absorbent layer which is needle punched to a backing to increase the absorbency and strength of the resulting product. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 the fibrous layer is formed from oriented filaments of rayon 63 needle punched to a backing of six layers of creped tissue 64.

At open web of non-woven material is provided on the side of the rayon layer opposite that of the creped tissue and is held in place by fiber transference between the non-woven and the rayon.

A liquid-impermeable backing layer 68, such as a thin film of polyethylene or biodegradable cellophane is secured to the last of the layers of creped tissue by an adhesive 69 prevent strike through during use. For convenience during use, the liquid impermeable backing 68 is preferably provided on its underside with a tacky layer of adhesive 70 temporarily covered with a removable sheet 72 such as glazed release paper. Prior to use, if desired, the release paper may be removed and the adhesive used to secure the sanitary napkin to I the undergarments of the wearer.

The fabrication of the sanitary napkin of FIGS. 14

and 15 is facilitated if the layer of non-woven 66 is initially needle punched to the rayon layer 63 and, thereafter, this composite is needle punched to the layers of creped tissue. This procedure assists in maintaining dimensional stability of the components during needle punching.

in a typical santiary napkin onstruction the finished pad may measure approximately 6 inches in length by 2.25 inches in width and may weigh approximately 2 grams. An open mesh non-woven material will first be needle punched to a layer of oriented filamentary rayon at a perforation density of 100 penetrations per square inch to initially secure the non-woven to the rayon and assure dimensional stability during further processing. The non-woven and rayon composite is then needle-punched to six layers of crepe tissue at a density of 200 penetrations per square inch. The liquid impermeable backing is then secured to the last layer of tissue with a permanent adhesive and is backed by a layer of adhesive which will remain tacky covered by a sheet of release paper.

Preferably, orientation of the rayon filaments and the lines of crepe will run in the direction of the length of the pad to aid in liquid distribution and spreading to prevent strike through in the center of the pad.

During use it has been found that sanitary napkins in accordance with the present invention provide a degree of absorbency greater than that of pads which are formed of like materials but without filamentary transference.

The enhanced absorbency coupled with increased strength provides means for the reduction in the thickness desired to meet the increased demands for nonbulky pads for use not only during the waning days of a menstrual cycle, but also for daily use with undergarments to capture fluid discharge.

As will be seen from the examples which follow, combined absorbent and non-absorbent materials can be employed in the formation of an acceptable starting material for use as a tampon and the non-absorbent constituents may be chosen for both strength and selective functionality. Further, enhancement of absorbent characteristics is also provided in an all rayon combination.

The following test results are believed indicative of the enhanced properties of an absorbent material constructed in accordance with the present invention.

So as to provide more definitive results all of the following samples were formed into tampons and absorbency levels were determined in such condition. Each of the tampons tested had a weight of approximately 2.4 grams with 2.2 grams being absorbent material and the remaining .2 grams including the intermediate gauze layer. It is of note that in the making of the tampons pressure is applied to the material surface to close some of the openings in those samples (such as samples V and Vi infra), where the shortness of the filaments of the cellulose crepe wadding prevented such filaments from maintaining the integrity of the openings, thus accounting in some degree for the relatively minor increment in absorbency levels.

Absorbency levels were tested employing the Syngyna Method. A summary of the Syngyna Method may be found in paper entitled A Comparison of the Absorptive Efficiency of the Commercial Catamenial Tampons written by Professor G. W. Rapp and published in June 1958 (Dept. of Research, Loyola Univ., Chicago, Ill.)

The Syngyna Method basically consists of applying to a properly positioned tampon an adaptation pressure of physiological magnitude and then allowing a fluid of proper consistency to flow in its tip at a controlled rate. The test is concluded when the first drop of fluid begins to fall from the open end of the Syngyna regardless of whether the tampon seems saturated or not.

Using as a control an all-rayon tampon (weighing 2.4 grams) which has a Syngyna absorbency level in grams of l 1.2, the following tests are exemplary of the present invention. The examples are given by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the invention.

The percent rayon, 50 percent cellulose crepe wadding sample exhibited progressively enhanced absorbency levels as the needle transferring operation progressed as can be seen from the chart below:

SYNGYNA ABSORBENCIES IN GRAMS No 100 400 800 MATERIAL TRANSFERENCE Punches Punches Punches Punches Control EMPLOYED METHOD RESULTS 9.0 9.9 I04 I L2 1 1.2 20% polyurethane Barbed needles. Syngyna absorbency A further desirable result of the above two samples was discovered. A single layer of cellulose crepe wadding 10 lb. wgt.) per 3,000 sq. feet l ply) alone was needle punched by the same needle punching equipll! inch sheet triangular shank of l0.l0 grams (non-absorbent) l5 gauge (-072 5 80% cellulose inches diameter) ment of sample l. Such sampling started to lose its inlo 800 needle holes per square inch 9 barbs per needle A polyurethane (non-absorbent) and cellulose crepe wadding sampling containing no openings for filament transference exhibited an absorbency level from two to three percent less than the sample Vl sampling above. It is also of note that where a sampling of 80 percent rayon (3 denier 1-9/16 fiber length) was combined in a 20 percent polyurethane (1/8 inch sheet nonabsorbent) there was a five percent increment in absorbency where openings and filaments transference was effected by barbed needles of the type indicated in the examples.

I was brought to the level of absorbency of an all-rayon v tampon of equal weight.

[ll MATElAL TRANSFERENCE EMPLOYED METHOD RESULTS MATERIAL TRANSFERENCE l5% cheese cloth Barbed needles, Syngyna absorbency EMPLOYED METHOD RESULTS 100% cotton; 85% triangular shank of 9.30 grams cellulose crepe l5 gauge (-O72 40 rayon 3 Barbed needles, Syngyna absorbency wadding l0 lb. wgt. inches diameter) denier. l 9/l6 triangular shank, of 10.40 grams per 3000 sq. feet 800 needle holes fiber length l5 gauge (072 (l0 plies) per square inch -60 cellulose inches diameter) 9 barbs per needle crepe wadding 800 needle holes l0 lb. wgt. per per square inch 3000 s ft 9 bars per needle l0 pli e s) A sampling of cheese cloth cellulose crepe wadding similar to example Vll above not subjected to needle Iv punching exhibited 25 percent less absorbency than the sample Vll material. MATERIAL TRANSFERENCE As may be noted from the above, not only is there in- EMPLOYED METHOD RESULTS creased absorbency (Samples 1, ill, IV, V) but materi- 257 3 B h d d1 S b b als heretofore not generally employed in the manufacra on B n CS, n na 3 SO! enc gi r ,,f: J grams y 40 ture of absorbent material, especially as a constituent fiber length s g material, for a rather inexpensive item such as a tam- 13 1;511:325; pon (Sample Vll) can be made to reach acceptable abl0 lb. wgt. per per square inch sorbency levels for use in such products. 982, 2; f 9 hmbs Per needle It has also been found that it is possible to increase the absorbency of an all rayon tampon. Where the con- VI stituents are layers weighing 2.2 grams of rayon, it has been found that the needle puching operation (i.e., 800 strokes p.s.i. using a 15 gauge .072 diameter needle) 2 G153?? L'gfigg RESULTS spreads the filaments and realigns the filament orientation with a resultant increase in absorbency levels.

. I I I w 100 it celirlose Barbedlneeslesk Styrgiyna absorbency plry e s m g: c o r: crepe wa mgtrlnngu ar 5 an o grams. P 8" '8 (4:73 ducted at varying levels from 10 openings per square I 2 Inc CS tame El t 0 H0 22 needle holes inch to over 1,000 openings per square Inch, It being per square inch 9 barbs per needle found that on the materials tested a range of between 600 850 punches per square inch gave best results. In addition, increased absorbency occurs both in instances where the constitutent materials are the same and to a much greater degree where the constituent materials are dissimilar. Similarly while positive results have been obtained employing absorbent and nonabsorbent combinations, enhanced results occur where all of the constituent materials are absorbent. All that is required however. is that at least one of the layers be absorbent and at least one of the layers contains filaments having a length sufficient to be effectively transferred through the openings in one of the constituent materials, at least to a sufficient degree to retain the integrity of the openings.

Hence, the absorbency levels of the absorbent composite is a function of:

a. the constituent materials b. the size of the openings c. the number of openings,

d. the number of filaments transferred e. the denier of filaments, and

f. specific gravity (density) of filaments By selectively varying any of the above such as by increasing the needle size, and/or the number of barbs per needle, or increasing the number of openings, or by otherwise affecting any of the above variables, selective grading of absorbency levels can be accomplished.

The only major limiting factor (aside from raw material cost) would appear to be the ability of the constituents to withstand the needle punching filament transference operation. As such, it is desirable that the transferee layer be of a material which will act well as a matrix to retain openings having filaments extending therethrough.

While the present invention has been described with greatest particularity in terms of its application to a tampon various other uses, e.g., sanitary napkin, disposable diaper, etc., are possible. It is to be further appreciated that the terms and expressions which have been employed are used for purposes of illustration, it is recognized though that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described certain forms of the invention in some detail, what is claimed is:

l. A tampon comprising at least one absorbent pad and at least one absorbent composite superimposed on said absorbent pad; said absorbent composite comprising at least two constituent layers, one of said layers being a filamentary layer and the other of said layers having openings therethrough; a portion of the filaments of said filamentary layer extending through the openings in said other layer to form said absorbent composite; said absorbent pad and absorbent composite being oriented in said tampon whereby the major portion of said openings having filaments extending therethrough extend in a direction transverse to the body of said tampon.

2. The tampon as claimed in claim 1 wherein said absorbent composite is disposed on the outer side of said tampon and said absorbent pad forms the inner core of said tampon.

3. The tampon as claimed in claim 2 wherein the filamentary layer of said absorbent composite is disposed on the outer side of said tampon.

4. The tampon as claimed in claim 2 wherein the layer of said absorbent composite having openings therethrough is disposed on the outer side of said tampon.

5. The tampon as claimed in claim I wherein two absorbent composites are employed, one being disposed on either side of said absorbent pad.

6. The tampon as claimed in claim 1 wherein two ab sorbent composites and two absorbent pads are provided.

7. The tampon as claimed in claim 6 wherein said two absorbent pads are sandwiched between said two absorbent composites.

8. The tampon as claimed in claim 7 wherein said absorbent pads are each formed from oriented filaments and said pads are disposed in a manner such that the general plane of orientation of the filaments of one pad are at an angle to the general plane of orientation of the filaments of said other pad.

9. The tampon as claimed in claim 8 wherein said absorbent pads are disposed in a manner such that the general plane of orientation of one pad is at a right angle to the general plane of orientation of said other pad.

10. The tampon as described in claim 7 wherein the respective filamentary layer of each absorbent composite faces its respective absorbent pad.

1 l. The tampon as claimed in claim 7 wherein the respective filamentary layer of each absorbent composite faces away from its respective absorbent pad.

12. The tampon as claimed in claim 8 wherein the filaments of the filamentary layers of said absorbent composites are selectively oreinted.

13. The tampon as claimed in claim 12 wherein the orientation of the filaments of said filamentary layers is parallel to the orientation of the filaments of the adjacent absorbent pad.

14. The tampon as claimed in claim 12 wherein the layers of said absorbent composites having openings therethrough are creped in a direction parallel to the orientation of the filaments of their respective absorbent composite.

15. A tampon comprising two absorbent pads and two absorbent composites; said absorbent pads being adjacent one another and each being a layer of selectively oriented rayon filaments, the general plane of orientation of the filaments of one absorbent pad being at an angle to the general plane of orientation of the filament of said other absorbent pad; said absorbent composites being disposed one on either side of said pair of absorbent pads and each comprising two constituent layers, one of said layers being creped tissue having openings therethrough and the other of saidlayers being a filamentary rayon layer; a portion of the filaments of said filamentary rayon layer extending through the openings in said creped tissue layer to form said absorbent composite; said absorbent pad and said absorbent composite being oriented in said tampon whereby the major portion of said openings having filaments extending therethrough extend in a direction transverse to the body of said tampon.

16. A disposable absorbent product comprising at least one absorbent layer of filaments, a plurality of layers of absorbent paper and a liquid-impermeable backing sheet; said layers of absorbent paper having a plurality of openings therethrough; a portion of the filaments of the filamentary absorbent layer extending through the openings in said absorbent paper layers to form an integrated absorbent composite; said liquidimpermeable backing sheet being secured to the side of said absorbent composite adjacent said layers of absorbent paper and a filament retention layer of material being secured to'the side of said composite opposite that of said liquid-impermeable backing sheet.

17. The disposable absorbent product as claimed in claim 16 wherein said filament retention layer is a nonwoven material and is secured to said filamentary absorbent layer by fiber transference between said nonwoven and said filamentary absorbent layer.

18. The disposable absorbent product as claimed in claim 16 wherein the side of said liquid impermeable backing sheet facing away from said absorbent composite has an adhesive coating which is covered by a removable sheet. 

1. A tampon comprising at least one absorbent pad and at least one absorbent composite superimPosed on said absorbent pad; said absorbent composite comprising at least two constituent layers, one of said layers being a filamentary layer and the other of said layers having openings therethrough; a portion of the filaments of said filamentary layer extending through the openings in said other layer to form said absorbent composite; said absorbent pad and absorbent composite being oriented in said tampon whereby the major portion of said openings having filaments extending therethrough extend in a direction transverse to the body of said tampon.
 2. The tampon as claimed in claim 1 wherein said absorbent composite is disposed on the outer side of said tampon and said absorbent pad forms the inner core of said tampon.
 3. The tampon as claimed in claim 2 wherein the filamentary layer of said absorbent composite is disposed on the outer side of said tampon.
 4. The tampon as claimed in claim 2 wherein the layer of said absorbent composite having openings therethrough is disposed on the outer side of said tampon.
 5. The tampon as claimed in claim 1 wherein two absorbent composites are employed, one being disposed on either side of said absorbent pad.
 6. The tampon as claimed in claim 1 wherein two absorbent composites and two absorbent pads are provided.
 7. The tampon as claimed in claim 6 wherein said two absorbent pads are sandwiched between said two absorbent composites.
 8. The tampon as claimed in claim 7 wherein said absorbent pads are each formed from oriented filaments and said pads are disposed in a manner such that the general plane of orientation of the filaments of one pad are at an angle to the general plane of orientation of the filaments of said other pad.
 9. The tampon as claimed in claim 8 wherein said absorbent pads are disposed in a manner such that the general plane of orientation of one pad is at a right angle to the general plane of orientation of said other pad.
 10. The tampon as described in claim 7 wherein the respective filamentary layer of each absorbent composite faces its respective absorbent pad.
 11. The tampon as claimed in claim 7 wherein the respective filamentary layer of each absorbent composite faces away from its respective absorbent pad.
 12. The tampon as claimed in claim 8 wherein the filaments of the filamentary layers of said absorbent composites are selectively oreinted.
 13. The tampon as claimed in claim 12 wherein the orientation of the filaments of said filamentary layers is parallel to the orientation of the filaments of the adjacent absorbent pad.
 14. The tampon as claimed in claim 12 wherein the layers of said absorbent composites having openings therethrough are creped in a direction parallel to the orientation of the filaments of their respective absorbent composite.
 15. A tampon comprising two absorbent pads and two absorbent composites; said absorbent pads being adjacent one another and each being a layer of selectively oriented rayon filaments, the general plane of orientation of the filaments of one absorbent pad being at an angle to the general plane of orientation of the filament of said other absorbent pad; said absorbent composites being disposed one on either side of said pair of absorbent pads and each comprising two constituent layers, one of said layers being creped tissue having openings therethrough and the other of said layers being a filamentary rayon layer; a portion of the filaments of said filamentary rayon layer extending through the openings in said creped tissue layer to form said absorbent composite; said absorbent pad and said absorbent composite being oriented in said tampon whereby the major portion of said openings having filaments extending therethrough extend in a direction transverse to the body of said tampon.
 16. A disposable absorbent product comprising at least one absorbent layer of filaments, a plurality of layers of absorbent paper and a liquid-impermeable backing sheet; said layers of absorbent paper having a plurality of openings therethrough; a portion of the filaments of the filamentary absorbent layer extending through the openings in said absorbent paper layers to form an integrated absorbent composite; said liquid-impermeable backing sheet being secured to the side of said absorbent composite adjacent said layers of absorbent paper and a filament retention layer of material being secured to the side of said composite opposite that of said liquid-impermeable backing sheet.
 17. The disposable absorbent product as claimed in claim 16 wherein said filament retention layer is a non-woven material and is secured to said filamentary absorbent layer by fiber transference between said non-woven and said filamentary absorbent layer.
 18. The disposable absorbent product as claimed in claim 16 wherein the side of said liquid impermeable backing sheet facing away from said absorbent composite has an adhesive coating which is covered by a removable sheet. 